Collapsible ironing board



Nov. 20, 1962 v. R. SPAIN COLLAPSIBLE IRONING BOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 26, 1959 VRGNIA R, SPAM A from Nov. 20, 1962 v. R. SPAIN 3,064,373

coLLAPsIBLE IRoNING BOARD Filed March 26," 1959 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. VIRGIN/A R. .SPIN

A WOR/VFY United States Patent 3,064,373 COLLAPSIBLE IRONING BOARD Virginia R. Spain, 3218 Overlook Drive NE., Warren, Ohio Filed Mar. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 892,088 3 Claims. (Cl. 38-115) My invention relates to ironing boards, particularly collapsible ironing boards adapted for travel purposes, and the principal object of my invention is to produce new and improved ironing boards of such character.

Ironing boards are usually quite bulky and this is true `of even the relatively small boards used for ironing smaller objects or for emergency purposes. Collapsible ironing boards capable of a material reduction in size have heretofore been known and examples thereof are found in United States Patents 2,637,919; 2,718,077; and 2,787,849.

However, prior collapsible ironing boards were not designed for travel or storage and further if made small enough for travel purposes failed to possess the rigidity necessary for good ironing operations.

My invention provides a sturdy and rigid ironing board and yet includes the desirable collapsible features which enable the board to be 'reduced to a compact size and receivable within a case, the case being usuable not only as a container for storage and travel purposes but also as a support for the ironing board when the latter is in use.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application there are shown, for purposes of illustration, several embodiments which my invention may assume and in these drawings:

- iFIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention, the embodiment being shown in position' for ironing operations,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken longitudinally through the structure disclosed in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the structure of FIGURE l, shown in collapsed relation,

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts comprising the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, and illustrating the parts ready for storage or travel assembly, and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are side elevational views illustrating diierent embodiments of my invention.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 1 through 4 comprises a pair of members 10, 11, preferably identical to facilitate production. Each member is formed of a plurality of sections successively decreasing in size and capable of telescoping or nesting relation one within the other to form a compact structure, such as shown in FIGURE 3.

In the presently disclosed embodiment, four sections 12, 14, and 16 are provided, the section 12 being the largest and the other sections progressively decreasing in size. As shown, the sections are tapered in plan and each has downwardly extending side anges, designated by the numeral of the section with suilix a added. Each side ange terminates in an. inwardly directed foot designated by the numeral of the section with sux b added.

Each side flange and foot defines a channel for receiving the side ange and foot of the next smallest section, the side auges progressively decreasing in width, as shown in FIGURE l, so as to be closely received one within the other. In the extended position as shown in FIGURE 1, the sections fractionally interlock at their meeting sides to form an ironing board surface on the uppermost member and a base support by the lowermost member. In the present form, either member 10 or 11 may be used as the ironing board surface.

As seen in the drawings, the largest section 12 and the i surface for ironing operations.

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smallest section 16 have arcuate ends, although such ends may have any other desired configuration. The side flanges 12a of section 12 are reduced in size, or omitted, at the arcuate end for a purpose to be subsequently disclosed. Each section 12 through 16 may be feathered at the straight edges 20 to reduce any abruptness between the slightly different levels of the sections, although such slight differences may not be noticeable when an ironing pad (not shown) is disposed over and about the ironing board surface in usual manner.

A case is provided for the ironing board structure and is adapted to form a part thereof. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 4, the case is shown as a rectangular sheet metal box 21 having a cover 22 forming a closure for the box.

The box is adapted to be disposed between the extended members 10 and 11, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, and is secured thereto to form a rigid assembly. A presently preferred form of connection comprises a pair of relatively long screws 23-23 passing through matching holes in the large sections 12-12 and the box 21. The screws may have flat heads 24 which may or may not be disposed within annular recesses (not shown) in the ironing board surface provided by the uppermost of the sections 12.

Wing nuts 25 may be threaded on the screw-threaded ends of thev screws 23 to provide the rigid assembly. The nuts 25 are disposed within the space defined by the side flanges 12a of the lowermost section 12, as seen in FIGURE 2.

To further increase rigidity, a brace 44 is disposed between a lower portion of the box 21 and the unsupported end of the uppermost member, which is the member 10 shown in FIGURES l and 2. The brace 44 may be formed of a series of telescoping parts 25, 26, 27 which, when telescoped do not materially exceed the length of the outer part 27 so as to fit alongside the box 21, as seen in FIGURE 4.

In the presently described embodiment, the larger part 27 may have an end pivoted between ears 2S secured to the box 21 so that the telescoped brace assembly may be swung to position alongside the box 21 and releasably held in such position by spring clips 29. In extended relation, the parts 25, 26, 27 form a brace extending diagonally from a lower portion of the box 21 to an unsupported end of the smallest section 16, and the end of l the brace part 25 may fit over a tang 30 welded to and extending downwardly from the uudersurface of the small section 16. The brace parts 25, 26, 27 may be releasably held in extended relation in any suitable manner, such as by friction, or by suitable mechanical locking members (not shown).

The ironing board in its operative position shown in FIGURES l and 2 is very rigid and thus forms a suitable To collapse the ironing board for storage or travel, it is only necessary to telescope the brace 44 and latch it against the box 21 by means of the clip 29. Thereafter, the wing nuts 25 may be unscrewed and the bolts 23 removed to permit each member 10 and 11 to be removed from the box 21 and collapsed to a position shown in FIGURE 3.

The collapsed members 10 and 11 may then be placed one against the other, as shown in FIGURE 4, with the notched side flanges 12a of the sections 12 in registry to provide an opening for receiving the bolts 23 and wing nuts 25. The members, as shown in FIGURE 4, are

ladapted for edgewise movement into the box 21 and the ironing board cover (not shown) may be inserted into the space in which the bolts 23 are contained, or may be disposed between a collapsed member 10 or 11 and the inside wall surface of the box 21. The cover may be formed with any suitable latch (not shown) to releasably tions, in which the members and 11 are similar to that previously described and therefore bear the same reference numerals.

In FIGURE 5, a brace 31 is provided, which comprises a leg 32 having one end pivoted to the underside of section 16 and an opposite end adapted to bear against the upper surface of the lower member 11. Two arms 33 are pivoted together and have opposite ends respectively pivoted to the leg 32 and the underside of the section 16. The arms 33 may be collapsed so that the leg 32 and arms 33 may be folder tiat against the underside of the section 16 when the sections are nested.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIGURE 6 two boxes 35 and 36 are provided, both open at one end 35a, 36a, with the box 35 slightly larger than the box 36 so that the latter may be snugly slid within the former. Screws and wing nuts, similar to the parts 23, 25 previously described, are used to hold each box 35 or 36 in position interposed between the extended members 10 and 11 and thus a very rigid ironing board is formed.

To convert the ironing board of-FIGURE 6 to storage or travel position, it is merely necessary to remove the screws holding the boxes 35 and 36 assembled with the members 10 and 11. The sections may then be collapsed to nest the sections 12, 14, and 16, and the collapsed sections, together with all the screws and Wing nuts, and the ironing board cover (not shown), may be placed in the smaller box 36. The larger box 35 may then be slid over the box 36 from the open side of the latter, to form the case for the ironing board.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilledin the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An ironing Aboard assembly, comprising a top member formed of a plurality of longitudinally telescoping sections which in extended relation provide a generally flat ironing board surface and which may be telescoped to occupy a small flat space, a base for said top member, and a rigid oblong box disposed between and in contact with said base and said top member when the latter is extended, means rigidly holding said box in said disposed position so that said base supports said top member for ironing operations, said holding means being of a disconnectable character to provide for separation of said box from said top member and base, said box having an interior size to receive said base and said top member when the latter is telescoped, for storage purposes.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said base is also formed of a plurality of longitudinally telescoping sections, the base being extended to provide a stable support for the extended top member for ironing operations and being telescoped to small size for storage with the telescoped top member within said box.

3. The construction according to claim 1 and includf ing a brace for said top member, said brace being exten-Y sible for bracing operation and being retractible to a smaller size for storage purposes.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 599,962 Hampshire Mar. 1, 1898 2,536,366 Harris et al Jan. 2, 1951 2,637,919 Buchanan May 12, 1953 2,718,077 Grissette Sept. 20, 1955 2,721,407 Sutherland Oct. 25, 1955 2,787,849 Lacey Apr. 9, 1957 

